Pressure pouring apparatus



Nov. 9, 1965 J. WOODBURN, JR

PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1962 INVENTOR. aanes %%aclzuua '2.

BY h JZI 6/ Nov. 9, 1965 J. WOODBURN, JR

PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1962 Nov. 9, 1965 J, WOODBURN, JR 3,216,070

PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS Filed May 8, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y. Dm w 0 SJ we my; m WNW fczmes BY QQN N 1965 J. WOODBURN, JR

PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 8, 1962 United States Patent 3,216,070 PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS James Woodburn, .lr., Wheaten, Ill., assignor to Amsted Industries Incorporated, Chicago, IlL, a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 8, 1962, Ser. No. 193,266 8 Claims. (Cl. 22-.-82)

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 853,316, filed November 16, 1959, now abandoned, which discloses both in novel method and means for pouring fluid material into a mold or molds.

This invention relates generally to the art of casting and more specifically to a novel apparatus for pressure pouring fluid material into a mold or molds where the material solidifies into a casting or castings.

According to accepted practice, particularly in the art of casting of molten metal, such as steel, the ladle has been subjected to relatively high pressure, as compared to the pressure existing in the mold, so as to cause the molten metal to flow through a pouring tube into the mold.

Prior art pouring tubes have usually been disposed to pass through the pressure chamber from the molten metal to the mold. Such tubes, particularly in the casting of steel, have had a short service life due to thermal shock and the necessity for handling the tubes between heats. Additionally, when inserting prior art tubes into the molten steel, there has been a tendency for the slag to enter the bottom of the tube.

Other disadvantages of prior art tubes have been their fragile construction, the necessity for a special seal around the opening through which the tube extends into the pressure chamber and the danger that pressure gas in the chamber might pass through the tube wall and become entrained by the molten steel flowing to the mold.

Numerous prior art attempts have been made to avoid some or all of the foregoing disadvantages by arranging the pouring tube externally of the pressure chamber thus simplifying the sealed connection to the ladle or container of molten steel and permitting a less fragile construction. However, such attempts have created additional problems as, for example, the necessity of a valve mechanism to prevent the molten steel from entering the tube until the operators are ready to pour the heat. Also, with prior art external tubes slight delays in the pouring cycle after initiation thereof have caused the molten metal to freeze in the tube thereby resulting in loss of the heat.

Still other disadvantages of prior art external tubes have been the difficulty of preventing heat losses prior to pouring, the difiiculty of removing slag and residue steel from the pressure chamber after completion of a pouring cycle, the inability to replace a pouring tube during a pouring cycle after it has commenced and the impracticality of transferring the molten steel from one place to another after the molten steel has once been received within the pressure chamber.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a readily portable ladle arrangement having an external pouring tube detachably secured thereto and adapted to be at times pressurized in order to force the molten metal within through the tube and into a mold.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following specification and.

illustrations wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view, with portions thereof in cross-section, of a ladle arrangement constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

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FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the ladle arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the plane of line 33 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the ladle body taken on the plane of line 44 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the plane of line 55 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the plane of line 6-6 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top plan view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of the cover assembly shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the plane of line 88 of FIGURE 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an end portion of the ladle body illustrating the relationship of the guide wheels and rail when the ladle assembly of FIGURE 1 has reached its lowermost position.

Certain details are omitted from some of the figures for purposes of clarity.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG- URES l and 2 illustrate a ladle assembly 10 comprised of a generally cylindrical outer metallic housing 12 having separate concave metallic end plates 14 secured thereto. A filling hatch 16 having a cover assembly 18 is formed generally atop the housing 12 and provides pas,- sage means for filling the ladle with molten metal. A pouring tube assembly 20 suitably secured at its lower end to a lower portion of the housing 12 extends in an upward direction, when in pouring position, so as to have its pouring end 22 vertically disposed above the support assembly 24.

The entire ladle assembly 10 is preferably placed within a pit 26 which contains two pairs of cooperating roller support assemblies 28 which cradle the cylindrical housing 12 at points near the opposite ends thereof. Each of the support assemblies 28 may be comprised of suitable pedestals 30 secured at their respective lower ends to base members 32 which are anchored to the floor 34 of the pit 26. Yoke-like roller support members 36 are provided at the uppermost ends of the pedestals for containing rollers 38 which are pivotally secured thereto as by means of pivot members 40.

A radially projecting tab 42, secured to the housing 12, is received within a yoke portion 44 of an actuating arm assembly 46 and pivotally retained thereto by a pivot member 48. During certain certain periods of operation, to be described hereinafter, the ladle housing 12 may be rotated to a position wherein tab 42 and yoke portion 44 assume a position illustrated generally at 50 (FIGURE 1). A pressure responsive cylinder assembly 52 and shaft 54 are pivotally connected to arm assembly 46 by a pivot member 56.

A pair of eccentrically disposed trunnion assemblies '58 and 60 are formed of cylindrical trunnion members 62 retained within metallic strap portions 64 and 66 which also circumscribe the greater portion of the outside diameter of the housing 12. Preferably, the straps 64 and 66 are welded to their respective trunnion members 62 and the housing 12 so as to form a unitary structure having members 62 in alignment with each other. A third trunnion assembly 68, secured to housing 12, similar to assemblies 58 and 60, is formed generally oppositely thereto. Gussets or re-inforcing plates 70 may be provided between the housing 12 and each of the straps of the respective trunnion assemblies and secured thereto as by welding.

Referring to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that the interior chamber 72 of the ladle body 13 is preferably defined by a plurality of layers 74, 76 of suitable refractory, which may be of brick-like form circumferentially arrangedabout the interior of housing 12, cooperating with layers 78, 80 of refractory material which determine the ends of the chamber. The concave end plates 14 are closely received within larger metal cup-like backing assemblies 82 which have their innermost disc-like portions 84 perforated. The space between the backing assemblies 82 and the concave end plates 14 is preferably filled with either a castable refractory material 86 or a suitable sand mixture. The interior of the hatch 16 is also provided with a lining 88 of refractory material.

Preferably, the concave end plates 14 and backing members 82 are secured to the outer housing 12 by means of two rows 92, 94 of bolts 90 and 96 spaced circumferentially thereabout as fragmentarily illustrated by FIG- URE 4. The spacing of the bolts is arranged so as to result in the staggering thereof as between the two rows.

The backing member 82 and concave end plate 14, which are welded together, are first inserted within the outer housing 12 and secured in place by bolts 96 of row 94. Next an asbestos packing 98 is inserted between end plate 14 and housing 12 and placed in abutting relationship to the end of backing members 82. Finally, a metal spacer or spacers 100 are inserted, in much the same manner as was packing 98, and bolts 90 are tightened. Packing 98 and sealing washers 102, which may be provided under the bolt head of each of the bolts in row 94, further insure against any loss of internal pressure due to undeterminable leaks, as for example, between the outer housing 12 and backing member 82.

A pouring spout 104, as seen in both FIGURES 3 and 5, formed of a refractory material, is located in the lower portion of the ladle body 13, when the ladle is in the pouring position illustrated by FIGURES 1 and 5, and communicates between chamber 72 and pouring conduit 106 of the pouring tube assembly 20.

FIGURE best illustrates the pouring tube assembly 20 as being comprised of outer steel casings 107, 108 and 110 serially connected to each other so as to have an upwardly directed open end 22. All of the casings are secured to each other by means of mating flange portions 112 formed thereon and suitable retaining means such as nuts and bolts. Casing 110 is also provided with a flange 114 for operative connection to flange 116 formed on housing 12 generally about the spout 104.

Pouring conduit 106, formed of serially connected tubular members 118 which are made of a refractory material, is supported by a sand mixture 120 rammed or blown into the annular space between members 118 and the inner surfaces of the casings. An asbestos gasket 122 is provided between flanges 114 and 116 for insulation while a layer 124 of low permeability refractory material is placed within casing 110, between flange 114 and sand mixture 120 in order to minimize any gas flow from chamber 72 through the refractory material therein and into the sand mixture 120. A bracket 126, secured to housing 12, may be provided inorder to support the upper portion of pouring tube assembly 20.

The fillinig hatch cover assembly 18, as illustrated in greater detail in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, is comprised of a cover member 128 provided with a rim member 130 preferably welded thereto. A plurality of pneumatically actuated piston assemblies 132 are secured to the rim member 130 in spaced relationship about the circumference of cover 128. Each of the piston assemblies 132 is provided with a pair of clamping arms 134 oppositely disposed thereabout.

Each of the arms 134 is pivotally connected near its upper end, as by a pin member 136, to the piston of assembly 132. The lower portion of the clamping arm is provided with an abutment member 138 which acts against the underside of flange 148 formed on the filling hatch 16 during certain periods for securing the cover 128 to the hatch 16. A cam slot 142 formed in each of the clamping arms 134 receives a cam guide-pin 144 which is welded to the rim 130. As relatively high pressure pneumatic fluid is directed to piston assemblies 132, as by means of a source of fluid pressure 146, conduit 148 and valving means 149, the piston is moved upwardly causing pin 136 to also move upwardly to the position shown in phantom lines. Consequently, arms 134 are both rotated and moved upwardly causing abutment 138 to bear on the underside of flange as also illustrated in phantom lines.

The underside of rim 130 is provided with a groove 150 for the reception therein of a gasket 152 which is urged against and over a ridge formed by a bar 154 welded to the upper side of flange 140. Rim 130 is also provided with a radially directed conduit portion 156 which communicates between the interior chamber 72 of the ladle body 13 and a source of pneumatic pressure 146 by means of conduit 158 and valving means 160.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the arrangement of guide wheels 162 and 164 and their relationship to the vertical guide track 166, of triangular cross-section, as the ladle assembly 10 reaches its lowermost position within pit 26, at which time the roller support assemblies 28 contact treads 168 and 170 between straps 64 and 66 of trunnion assemblies 58 and 60, respectively. A rib member 172 secured to the outside of concave end plate 14 serves as a support for guide wheels 162 and 164. Journal support members 174 and 176, oppositely disposed about rib 172, support pivot members 178 and 180, respectively. Gussets 182 and 184 may, of course, be provided to increase rigidity.

When the ladle assembly 10 reaches its lowermost position, the center lines of the ladle body, pivot 178 and a notch 186, formed in rail or track 166, are in substantial alignment with each other. Notch 186 is formed to a size sufiicient to permit guide wheel 162 to be translationally rotated therethroug-h, thus permitting rotation of the ladle assembly 10 to the pouring position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Operation Assuming the ladle body to be empty, the preferred mode of operation is as follows. The entire ladle assembly 10, with cover assembly 18 removed therefrom, is transported to a filling station by means of a suitable hanger, or bail, engaging trunnion members 62. Molten metal is then poured into chamber 72 through filling hatch 16. When chamber 72 has been filled to the proper level, ladle assembly 10, still in its hanging position, is transported to the pit 26 and wheels 162 and 164, at each end of the ladle body 12, are brought into alignment with guide-rails 166.

The ladle assembly 10 is then lowered into pit 26, guided by rails 166, until support assemblies 28 engage treads 168 and 170 at which time the ladle assembly is in its lowermost position shown in FIGURE 9. Also, at this time, since trunnion members 62 are disposed generally above the ladle body 12, the entire ladle assembly will be in a position rotated counterclockwise from that shown in FIGURE 1 causing, for example, tab 42 to assume a position indicated by phantom lines as at 50. At this time, yoke portion 44 of actuating arm 46 is pivotally connected to tab 42 as by member 48. The hanger or bail is then disengaged from trunnion members 62 and the entire ladle assembly 10 is rotated by actuating arm 46 and piston assembly 52 to the position shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2.

The cover assembly 18 is then placed atop the filling hatch 16 and cylinder assemblies 132 actuated as by the admission of high pneumatic pressure from source 146. Conduit 158, which may include a quick-disconnect coupling, may also at this time be connected to conduit 156 for the subsequent pressurization of chamber 72. A suitable mold and gate assembly 188 may then be operatively connected to end 22 of pouring tube assembly 20.

Relatively high pressure pneumatic fluid is then didectcd from source 146 to chamber 72 forcing the molten metal therein downwardly through discharge orifice 104 and upwardly through conduit 106 of pouring tube assembly 20 into the mold assembly 188. The application of pressure continues until the mold assembly 188 is filled at which time the cooperating gate assembly may be closed which prevents the reverse flow of metal out of the mold upon termination of pressure.

Chamber 72 is, of course, of a size capable of containing a quantity of molten metal sufiicient to fill a plurality of mold assemblies. Accordingly, as a mold assembly is filled, it is removed from the end 22 of pouring tube assembly 20 and transported to an area Where the molten metal within the mold assembly may at least partially solidify. The foregoing cycle of filling successive mold assemblies is of course repeated until chamber 72 is substantially emptied of molten metal.

A problem which has usually plagued prior attempts at pressure casting has been the freezing of metal in the pouring tube assemblies. However, the problem is also solved by this invention. For example, if for some reason an extended delay is occasioned in providing the next successive mold assembly, the metal within the pouring tube assembly 20 would normally tend to freeze because it is not kept in motion and further because of its relatively small volume as compared to its cooling surface. However, if such a delay is experienced with a ladle assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, the freezing of metal within the pouring tube can be prevented merely by actuating cylinder assembly 52 causing the ladle assembly 10 to rotate counterclockwise until it assumes a position wherein tab 42 and end 22 of pouring tube 24 are located as shown in phantom lines 50 and 51, respectively. This rotation of the ladle assembly and pouring tube causes the molten metal within the pouring tube to gravitationally flow back into chamber 72 where heat is retained to a much greater degree. When a mold assembly is then made ready, the ladle assembly is rotated clockwise back to its normal pouring position as shown in FIGURE 1.

After chamber 72 has been substantially emptied, cover assembly 13 is removed and ladle assembly 14) is rotated counterclockwise until wheels 162 and 164 are in alignment with guide rails 166. A suitable bail is then secured to trunnion members 62 and the ladle lifted out of pit 26 and transported to a filling station. At this time a hoist and hook may be secured to trunnion member 69 of trunnion assembly 68 and the entire ladle assembly rotated about trunnion members 62 until any and all slag or residue remaining within chamber 72 is emptied therefrom through the open hatch 16. Subsequently, the chamber 72 may again be filled and the cycle of operation, as described, repeated.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An arrangement for guiding a rotatable pressure pouring ladle assembly into a suitable pit containing ladle support mens for rotating said ladle to selective positions, comprising a vertically directed guide rail secured to a wall defining said pit, a first guide wheel pivotally secured to one end of said ladle assembly adapted to engage and roll along said guide rail as said ladle assembly is lowered into said pit, said first guide wheel being so located as to be generally centrally of said one end of said ladle assembly, a second guide wheel pivotally secured to said one end of said ladle assembly eccentrically of said first guide wheel and in rolling alignment therewith adapted to engage and roll along guide rail as said ladle assembly is lowered into said pit, said second guide Wheel having an outer diameter substantially larger than the outer diameter of said first guide wheel, said guide rail being formed in a manner permitting effective disengagement of said second guide wheel from said guide rail when said ladle assembly has been lowered into said pit and onto said support means, and a clearance formed in said guide rail, said clearance being of a size sufficient to permit translational rotation of said first guide wheel therethrough after said ladle assembly has been lowered onto said support means but of a size insufficient to permit disengagement of said second guide wheel while said ladle assembly is being lowered into said pit.

2. Pressure pouring apparatus comprising a ladle including a generally cylindrical body member having an internal chamber, supporting means detachably supporting the ladle for enabling transportation of the ladle into and out of position thereon, said body member having a hatch opening radially therefrom, a hatch cover sealingly and removably covering the hatch, a pouring tube mounted on and carried by the body member and communicating with the internal chamber therein at a point on the body member circumferentially remote from said hatch, the pouring tube having a substantial component of direction circumferentially of the body member whereby when the body member is positioned with the point of communication with the pouring tube adajcent the bottom of the body member, the extended end of the pouring tube is in upright position and is above the metal level in the internal chamber, said supporting means including a pair of circumferentially spaced rollers positioned for receiving each end of the body member and thereby supporting the ladle, whereby to cradle the body member and enable rocking movement of the ladle about a horizontal axis extending centrally longitudinally of the body member, the apparatus also including means for connection with the body member and rocking the ladle about its said axis.

3. The apparatus set out in claim 2 wherein the body member is provided with first trunnion means eccentrically disposed and adapted for engagement by lifting means, and the body member when said first trunnion means is so engaged by lifting means, depends downwardly therefrom in a position in which its longitudinal axis is substantially directed below said first trunnion means, said first trunnion means being so positioned that when the body member is so supported thereby, the hatch is adjacent the top of the body member, and the pouring tube is mainly above the body member whereby any molten metal in the pouring tube recedes therefrom into the internal chamber.

4. The invention set out in claim 3 in conjunction with additional supporting and controlling means engageable with the body member and operative for positioning it in a pouring position wherein said hatch is adjacent the top of the body member, and the point of communication between the internal chamber and the pouring tube is at the bottom of the body member, and the extended end of the pouring tube is vertically disposed.

5. The invention set out in claim 3 wherein second trunnion means is provided on the body member circumferentially remote from the first trunnion means, and generally opposite said hatch, whereby to enable emptying the body member through said hatch by rocking the body member about the first trunnion means when the latter is supported by the lifting means, by lifting means engaging the second trunnion means.

6. The invention set out in claim 2 wherein the body member is provided with first trunnion means disposed eccentrically to said longitudinal axis, said first trunnion means is adapted for engagement by lifting means for lifting the ladle and when it is so lifted it depends downwardly from said first trunnion means with its said axis substantially directly under the first trunnion means, the combination also including additional support means for receiving the ladle by lowering the ladle thereinto, said additional support means including surrounding walls, vertical guide tracks on at least certain of said surrounding walls, and the body member having guide means engageable with said guide tracks, said guide tracks and guide means coacting to retain the body member in vertically suspended position throughout the lowering movements thereof, and the guide tracks having interruptions so located that when the body member is in its lowermost position, the guide members are permitted to move out of said guide tracks in the rocking movements of the ladle.

7. The invention set out in claim 6 wherein said guide members include a pair of wheels at each end of the body member, each pair of wheels including one substantially on said longitudinal axis of the body member and the other therebelow relative to the suspended position of the ladle, the first wheel of each pair being translationally stationary in the rocking movementsof the body member, and the guide tracks having notches enabling the first wheels to rock with the body member, and the guide tracks are of such length that the lower wheels are below the lower ends of the guide tracks when the ladle is in its lowermost position and are enabled to move with the rocking movements of the body member unrestrained by the guide tracks.

8. Pressure pouring apparatus comprising a pit and a ladle detached therefrom and freely movable into and out of the pit, the ladle including a generally cylindrical body member having an internal chamber, the body member having a hatch opening radially from the internal chamber, a cover sealingly and removably covering the hatch, the ladle including a pouring tube communicating with said internal chamber at a point on the body member remote from said hatch, the pouring tube having a substantial component of direction circumferentially of the body member whereby its extended end is positioned circumferentially adjacent said hatch, supporting means in the pit including two pairs of rollers, the rollers of each pair being circu'mferentially spaced and adapted to detachably receive and support a corresponding end of the body member, the ladle being capable of being deposited on the supporting means merely by setting it thereon and removing it therefrom merely by lifting it therefrom, the ladle being rockable on said supporting means about a central longitudinal axis of the body member, an eccentric carrying element on the body member adapted for engagement by lifting means, the ladle when carried by said lifting element, depending from said carrying element, and the carrying element being so positioned circumferentially of the body member that when the ladle is carried thereby said hatch is adjacent the top of the body member and the pouring tube extends generally above the body member whereby to permit any molten metal therein to recede into said internal chamber, and actuating means operatively connected with the pit and connectable with said ladle at an eccentric point on said body member, said actuating means being operative for rocking the ladle between a pouring position in which the point of communication between said internal chamber and the pouring tube is closely adjacent the bottom of the body member and the extended end of the pouring tube is disposed generally vertically and extends above the top of said internal member, and said hatch is adjacent the top of the body member, said actuating means being also operative for rocking the ladle, when on the supporting means in the pit, to a non-pouring position wherein the pouring tube is generally above the body member whereby to enable any molten metal therein to recede to said internal chamber, and the hatch is closely adjacent the top of the body member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 618,256 1/99 Shook et al. 2281 771,487 10/04 McCarthy 22-81 1,138,443 5/15 Bierbaum 2269 2,073,150 3/37 Goldberg 2281 2,393,695 1/46 Kling 2282 2,462,794 2/49 Walter 22-113.5 2,587,061 2/52 Nelson 22156 2,741,006 4/56 Kux 2279 2,800,690 7/57 Olson 2213 2,834,504 5/58 Annicq 220-46 3,072,286 1/63 Cusumano 220-46 3,160,929 12/64 Woodburn 2279 3,162,909 12/ 64 Sylvester 2282 MARCUS U. LYONS, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT F. WHITE, Examiner. 

2. PRESSURE POURING APPARATUS COMPRISING A LADLE INCLUDING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL BODY MEMBER HAVING AN INTERNAL CHAMBER, SUPPORTING MEANS DETACHABLY SUPPORTING THE LADLE FOR ENABLING TRANSPORTION OF THE LADLE INTO AND OUT OF POSITION THEREON, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A HATCH OPENING RADIALLY THEREFROM, A HATCH COVER SEALINGLY AND REMOVABLY COVERING THE HATCH, A POURING TUBE MOUNTED ON AND CARRIED BY THE BODY MEMBER AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERNAL CHAMBER THEREIN AT A POINT ON THE BODY MEMBER CIRCUMFERENTIALLY REMOTE FROM SAID HATCH, THE POURING TUBE HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL COMPONENT OF DIRECTION CIRCUMFERENTIALLY OF THE BODY MEMBER WHEREBY WHEN THE BODY MEMBER IS POSITIONED 